Anyone who DIYed their own food for reception

[Karissa&Bryan]

I have been considering DIYing our food for the reception because I know I can save a ton of money if I do it myself. Does anyone have ideas of what to serve? It is in June and we are inviting about 100 people. Thanks for your ideas.

[SerendipityCrafts]

We did it .... and yes, we did save some $$$. The only thing I would have done differently is to enlist the help of more people to help with the set up and clean up. The church ladies ended up leaving about 10 pm so, we ended up cleaning up and doing dishes with our minister at the end of the night. It was kind of fun to gab with him but I am pretty sure that none of us expected to be doing the clean up.

We were going for a casual garden party type feel. We bought some ready made trays from Costco but we may up the majority of them ourselves (less expensive) using ingredients bought there. We bought a load of serving trays & serving utensils from the dollar store and donated them to the church afterwards. We also bought the wine from Costco (we can do that here & our church allows alcohol) here, so that helped as well.

This was our evening buffet menu. I believe the total cost was about $500 - $600 (but this would be less had we not bought the booze) -

Mini Quiches (our quiches were warmed)
Croissant Sandwiches - we ordered 2 platters of sandwiches ready made and cut each sandwich in half (these were snapped right up)
Shrimp & Cocktail Sauce (gone within minutes)
Assorted Cheese & Crackers (also gone)
A tossed salad - the only thing that we really needed forks for
Veggies and Dip(s) Platter

To drink -
White and Red Sangria
Rum Punch
Flavoured Water
Regular Water
Pop
Raspberry Lemonade
Tea
Coffee

For Dessert -
Petit Fours (these were fantastic!!!)
Fruit Cocktail (gone)
A Chocolate Fountain with various dippers - Yummy!!!!!
and a small wedding cake

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/98/226603410_0b45232581.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/65/226603409_269e1b08c6.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/94/226603414_e8c7d49c06.jpg

[ChristineLS]

We're going to DIY the food. It's an August reception, so we're doing mostly cold finger food type things (as of now we're thinking):

Hummus (garbanzos, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, seasonings in a food processor) and pita
2 cheese trays
2 fruit trays of whatever will be in season
2 veggy trays of whatever will be in season
I'm not sure what they are called, but sandwiches that you roll into a tortilla and then slice
Real sandwiches
Salads (romaine, and caprese)
Potentially bbq- if we can figure out the logistics.
Carrot Cake
Other stuff we still need to decide

Beverages:
Soda
Wine
Water

My brother works at a BJ's wholesale club, so we get a free membership and less expensive food that way.

[lillypad]

My sisters wedding had DIY food, I helped make a lot of it. Her wedding was a ton of fun but really casual so I don't know if it would work for everyone. We make crispy BBQ and curry tofu (separate dishes) vegan mac and cheese, and lots of cut fruit. There was more, some dips and pizza delivered but that is the stuff I made. I was up until 5am the night before, and there was still hours more work to be done the next day, it was crazy but we had a lot of help.

[SkippyNXC]

I don't know if I'm actually going to do this but one idea i had was doing a buffet and having friends and family cook various ethnic dishes to share for a sort of international theme :) I imagine I will have to supplement with other dishes by either paying the venue to do a small buffet or cooking more on my own but I haven't thought it thru yet as I am JUST starting the planning process

[wannabeNurse2]

When we were going to DIY our food we were going to have veggie lasagna, meat lasagna, and tortellini for the main dishes. We were going to buy those cheap roasting foil pans from Walmart, put the lasagna together two weeks ahead of time, and freeze them. So all the friends that were helping us would of had to do was throw them into the oven at the right time. Then we were going to have rolls, garden salad, fruit trays, and veggie trays. Maybe even a cheese tray. It was a wonderful plan until the venue that was allowing us to do this decided to raise their price $700 after changing managers. To top it off with a cherry the new manager severely lacked customer service skills! So those plans went out the window considering we could spend the same amount for a different venue, and have them make the food for us. People really should look at what their competetors charge before they raise their prices. Anyway, I hope this helps!

[rainbow]

Im hoping to be doing a dessert reception. I want to serve things like sandwiches, nachos, cheese,crackers, veggies, deviled eggs, macaronie salad, potatoe salad, cake.All these things I can make myselfe, but I also know that some family members will help out. We are having about 100 people as well, maybe a little more.

[mitch]

We did our own catering. Mainly finger foods and a few bits of salad.
Also got some chessecakes, gateau and mini cakes. A few Savouries and everyone was well fed.

Our Reception was at home so it was very casual.

It worked out at $1 a head. :bbeek:

Can't get much more cheaper than that and it looked as good as any professional. :winktongue:

The only downside to it was having to find time to prepare and plate up etc. But with a couple of friends helping it was well worth the effort.

[Katie-ryn]

I'm planning on DIYing my food. We're having a buffet, and Im enlisting the help of my friends, family, and my will be 18 year old sisters friends.

These plans aren't set in stone, but it's what we're planning for now. We're having a choice of steak or chicken, with roasted baby potatoes, caesar salad, Greek salad and rolls.

The baby potatoes will need to be cooked in the oven for an hour or two, so I'll have one of my sisters friends turn them on, but they will have been prepared and refrigerated the day before or so. They'll be in chaffing dishes to stay warm. The steaks/chicken will be prepared the day before and refrigerated, then grilled right before supper. The chicken will be bought in bulk and frozen in a marinade and thawed the day before, and the steaks I'm hoping to be able to pick up from the butcher the day before, then season and refrigerate. Also served in chaffing dishes. The Greek salad is supposed to be made ahead of time to marinate, so that's taken care of. The caesar will be the hardest. I'll probably have them put together the day before besides the croutons and dressing, and have my sisters friends add that in when they bring out the bowls to the buffet table. Her friends will be the ones to restock any empty bowls.

I'm thinking of hiring someone to grill the meats, that way FFIL (the family griller) can enjoy the wedding. FH knows/is friends with a guy he used to work with at a restaurant that I'm sure we could convince to help us. He went to school for culinary stuff, and is now working at a printing plant. We're planning on just asking a bunch of people to bring their barbeques, and have a bunch going.

So yeah, if you read this far, that's my idea. I figure we can prepare everything ahead of time, then some hired help can do the actual day of work.

Edit: Forgot to say I'm also making my own wedding cake... I swear I'm not crazy, even if it seems like it! lol

[Kari&Jeremy]

We are DIY our own food, but I haven't solidified a menu yet. What we have so far:

Sandwiches (we're going to get those subs from Wal-mart and slice them)
Veggie trays
Chips and dip
Chocolate fountain
Cookies
Wedding cake

I'm going to try and do a candy buffet, too. :)

[igurbisz]

we are looking at DIY as well. Planning on a fajita/taco bar and pasta bar with wraps. Also having a cupcake buffet.

[Measha]

We are planning to DIY. We have a tea-party type theme, early in the afternoon which means light food is acceptable hehe.

So far on my sample menu I have several types of finger sandwiches, cut into cute shapes, scones, several varieties of stuffed veggies (cherry tomato, celery, mushroom), miniature fruit kabobs, and our cupcake tower. According to tea-party etiquette I should also have some small chocolates and/or Jordan Almonds so looking into that.

Luckily I have a good handful of family here to help!

[espemartinez3]

We are having a southern-inspired cuisine/dinner at our evening reception. The reception will be held outdoors so it's going to be challenging keeping the food warm/cold. The wedding is in June so I think the weather should be ideal for eating outdoors!
We just plan on ordering from several different restaurants in the area. For example, I LOVE boston market's corn bread. So that is one item that we plan to purchase instead of make ourselves. The food is something that I'm realllly going to need help with as well!
Good luck!

[Gertie]

Just had a sit down with my daughter to go over all the great ideas I have been collecting from everyone here, and we are going to diy most of the food. We're looking at 100-125 people actually showing up, as her fh has a large family that have all already made it clear they expect to be invited and will happily make the lengthy road trip from far west Texas to the Dallas metro area celebration.

The venue we love is a church plus small parsonage that was purchased and turned into a wedding venue when the people outgrew the building. The parsonage rents out for just $150 for 3 hours with a full kitchen and room for the bride and bridesmaids to share a brunch then get ready. I'm going to be putting the finishing touches on the food there, then setting up the buffet table in the reception hall, except the food. Hot things will be kept hot covered in foil in the ovens in the hall, cold things will be plastic covered in the walk in cooler, and two of my younger daughter's friends are being paid to set the food out (I'll label the spots so it's just a matter of remove covering and set here for them) so it's just done when the wedding is over. Then I am paying younger daughter and two friends to keep the buffet filled for the evening as long as there is anything left to set out. DH is going to cook most of the meats wrapped in foil on the grill, something he often does for me for family meals and various events, and we've already made sure the grill will be welcomed on the parking lot of the ex-parsonage. :)

Our menu:

Sliced on platter and served hot:

Herbed Roasted Boneless Turkey Breast (3 or 4 depending on size I think)
Ham with a peanut butter glaze (two large)
Brisket (two large trimmed)

Served cold on trays:

Veggie Trays of raddishes, cherry tomatoes, green onions, broccoli florettes, baby carrots, mushroom quarters, and celery sticks with ranch and some other dip yet to be determined
Fruit made to look similar to this picture
https://store.fruitflowers.com/images/prodImages/ffmajestic.jpg


Cheese Tray
Spinach Dip with crackers served in bread bowls (no wash up yay!)
Shrimp and grandma's special cocktail sauce
Relish tray with black & green olives, baby sweet pickles, cherry peppers, dill spears, and pickled okra
Tray of homemade rolls (friend is making them as her wedding gift)
Tray of condiments, etc like mayo, honey mustard, brown mustard, possibly lettuce


Fondu pot of godiva chocolate for use with the fruit (possibly also marshmallows from the candy buffet)
oversized crock pot with some of my daughter's fav Asian meat balls
oversized crock pot with a hot artichoke dip, with chips and salsa on the side


Carinos will deliver to the reception hall, so they'll drop by with some giant trays of lasagne

a small cake for the couple to cut and share plus topper to keep then cup cakes with various flowers on each for everyone else.

Candy Buffet

Drinks:
Iced Tea both sweet and unsweet
Iced water
wedding punch
Champagne toast
Frozen drink machines we rent with marguritas and pina coladas
small bar with a few basic cocktails served

The bridesmaid buffet will probably be something easy like sub sandwiches and iced tea :)

[Mrs.Goff]

Our food is going to be DIY. As of right now we're having the following ...

Mini sandwiches; Ham, Turkey and Roast beef
The cheese for the sandwiches will be, Swiss, American and provolone
Garden salad with all the trimmings
potato salad
coleslaw
macaroni salad
deviled eggs
baked beans
fruit cocktail
little personal bags of chips (variety pack)
warm nacho cheese and tortilla chips
White chili

Deserts:
Wedding cake
sugar free banana pudding (we have some diabetics)

Drinks:
Bottled water
coffee
tea (sweet and unsweet)
soda
punch


Our mothers and a few of their friends have agreed to make sure the table stays full.

[Katiegirl]

We're also DIYing the food. Our menu:


Appetizers:
cheese and cracker trays
veggie trays

Dinner:
BBQ chicken
hamburgers
hotdogs
baked beans
mac & cheese
potato salad
cole slaw
dinner rolls

Drinks:
beer
red and white wine
tea
lemonade
water

Dessert:
wedding cake

We're able to hire the Ladies' Auxillary at the fire hall and they'll set up and take down the buffet. :)

[ajkarstens]

We are also DIY our food. We are having Hamburgers, baked beans, potato salad, and fruit. We are letting the guests build their own hamburgers, we will have lettuce, onion, tomato, pickle, cheese and then mayo, mustard and ketchup. We are saving quite a bit doing this as I have enlisted the help of my family!!

[Kfancii]

We are also DIY our food. We are having Hamburgers, baked beans, potato salad, and fruit. We are letting the guests build their own hamburgers, we will have lettuce, onion, tomato, pickle, cheese and then mayo, mustard and ketchup. We are saving quite a bit doing this as I have enlisted the help of my family!!

We did this for our "reception" too. Since we eloped, we had a cookout type reception where we cooked burgers and dogs. We had buns and all the veggies, cheese, and other fixin's to let people build their own burger/dog and to keep from having to worry about the sides needing to be kept cold, we bought the big boxes of individual chips from Sam's, served bottled water and sodas in cans. We did have iced tea, so we had 1 ice chest full of ice and cups available too. We had a traditional wedding cake that my Mom bought for us and a groom's cake that I made for dessert. The party was great and everyone loved the food. We served over 80 people for about $500.00.

One thing when you are doing your own food. Be sure you have someone other than you and your groom to handle the food preparations. We had a couple of our friends man the grill and they did an awesome job, so it allowed us to get to visit with our guests.

[Tiffy1443]

The fiance and I our doing the diy catering. Actually not us but my father, we are not letting our parents pay for the wedding so my dad and step mom, who are excellent cooks and have catered events before have insisted on letting them do at least that. We are inviting 300 people, but we know that many won't show. So far we are planning stuffed chicken breast wrapped in bacon, with a creamy sauce, veggies with new potatoes, rice pilaf (i think I spelled that right), rolls and that's the dinner menu so far! Far more cheapier to have them cater then paying for a service! Some place are just too expensive! Especially for the amount of people we may have to feed!

[lilmsjess]

we're gonna DIY....here's my menu hoping all goes well ;)

main foods:
1. Spagetti w/2 different sauces(fiance hand makes sauce :rolleyes: but he's good!)(i'm buying (1) 2lb bag-should feed about 20 i think(so $15 there)

2. meat lasagna-fiance makes this also! so 1 huge pan can feed 10-15!($60)

3. chicken parmesan-i buy the frozen boneless/skinless, so 2 bags of 10/each will feed 20(and bags are max 15...)the cheese($10) sauce(see above! $15?)

sides:
1. bread sticks-the come frozen also, like 12 for $3!!! so probably 8 of those!

2.Texas Toast(seasoned kind)-$5 for 12 slices-so 2 of those(not too popular with some people)

3. 2 salads, regular & ceasar-bagged, with dressing for 4 people is $5(so 5 each of those)

4. 3 veggies-the big frozen bags, will feed about 8, so with 3 kinds, i only need 2 of each($5/bag)

desserts: we scrimp hehe, see below
1. 4 cheesecakes-strawberry and cherry-JELLO BABY! $3/each-2 of each kind! feeds 6 off 1!

2. banana pudding-crazy yes, but both of our families love it, and chris can make enough for 10 people, on just $5! so 3 batches @$15!

3. cupcakes-i'm buying those premade ;)

4.buckeyes(basically round PB cups) cost me about $10 for 5 dozen!

5. potato candy(don't ask)-about $10 for 5 dozen

snacks:
various fruit and veggie trays, mini sandwhiches, meat and cheese trays, candy trays(like hershey's mini's etc)

wedding cake:
i want fiance to make it but he refuses! he's AWESOME but won't make it :(
so i'm having my fave grocery store take a half sheet, put a 1/4 sheet on top, with a square "babys 1st birthday" sized cake on top.....and it'll be vanilla icing(half choc and vanilla inside) and i'm looking for pretty things to decorate it with....i was going to do rhinestone hair pins from claires, but jeez their selection sucks now! so my mom is sifting through her fiance's jewelry making book, and we're going to get irridescent stones as well as stones in my color, and also rhinestone chain to do it in....chains like they use for "tennis" bracelets? and i'm making my topper out of super thin but durable metal wire, and i'm making out our monogram.....i think cake and deco for 50 people, about $100.....not bad i don't think

[ChristineLS]

Turns out we're going to DIY now, after the realization that catering is prohibitively expensive.

FH wanted to borrow all the crockpots from everyone we know and do pulled pork :rofl: My mother argued that would short the power lines in the neighborhood.

We're probably going to do salad, veggie tray (lots of stuff in season in August, and I <3 the farmer's market), fruit, cheese tray, Lasagna, rolls, and maybe something else. FMIL is making her specialty carrot cake... Mmmmm, I'm actually really excited about that! LOL

We're having about sixty people. We cook all the time, but never on the large scale. FH and I decided we're going to have a "wedding trial run" party where we make like 1 lasagna on the scale and whatever else we decide on too. Make our mistakes then instead of at the party!

[karenzkarz]

We did DIY for my sister's weddimg. We had a buffett style cold plate. We cooked 6 roast beef, 6 hams, and 4 turkeys which we sliced and arranged nicely on plastic oval white trays from the dollar store. Along with that we had garden salad, potatoe salad, coleslaw, greek pasta salad, rolls, cod au gratin. She used my dummy cake from my wedding the previous year and bought cakes from Costco. My friend who is a baker baked tons of cookies and squares to put out a little later in the evening. She had about 180 people and i doubt that the food came to more than $400 and everything was great. Make sure you've got lots of help and hair nets!!

[oreogurl20]

I'm getting ready to DIY my food at the reception. We are doing both the ceremony and reception at the same location so that helped us. We are doing a chocolate foutain with different snacks and fruit. Then we are also doing the normal cake, punch and cream cheese mints. We also did a candy tower on glass platters for my fiance. We served our punch, but we also had tea and water. For the actual food we wanted foods that we love, especially since our wedding is smaller (about 60 close family and friends) and intimate. So we chose to do a family meatball recipe (we have crockpots to keep them warm). We also chose to do the little hot dogs in crescents, sandwich roll ups, quessadillas and motz sticks. We got the silver trays from walmart and got the 3 hour fuel packs to keep all of that warm. I'm hoping it all works out!

[RosieAngel]

I didn't DIY the food at my wedding, but I was one of the helpers at two friends' weddings that did!

One friend had an appetizer-only cocktail reception, and for it, we made and served:
cheese/cold-cut platter
veggie platter with dips
fruit platter
green salad
guacamole-stuffed mushrooms
dainty crackers with lox and cream cheese
cocktail shrimp with sauce
prosciutto-wrapped melon we had honeydew and cantaloupe
bruschetta
beef-wrapped asparagus spears
mini sweets - little cookies, bran muffins, scones, etc.

At the other, I was just a server, so I don't remember everything.
But I do remember them having big pots with different kinds of spaghetti - pesto, alfredo, and red (tomato) sauce.

Hope that helps!